PARK ART – September 2012 - Coming to A Green Space Near You !!

Less than a year from now, September 2012 will see the launch of PARK ART, which will be Reflections Art in Health Charity’s first national fund-raising event.  At a time when fund-raising is becoming increasingly difficult, we are attempting to raise funds so that we can continue to showcase the creative talents of people with mental health problems. 

Raising funds for mental health generally is always difficult, as sadly despite the devastating effect of mental illness, it’s a cause that is very poorly supported.  If you add to that the fact that we are concentrating on the narrow focus of art and its’ value in aiding recovery and enhancing the healing environment, you can  imagine just what an uphill task we face, particularly as we don’t have all the resources of the big mental health charities.

Nevertheless, we are up for the challenge as we believe in the cause, and know only too well how much the creative arts can help people.  Fortunately already we are not alone as NHS Employers and The Mental Health Network have agreed to partner us, as well as a number of professional football clubs.

So on various Sundays throughout next September a number of NHS Trusts including:- South West London and St. George’s Mental Health Trust, 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Humber NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust,  Bradford District Care Trust, RDASH Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, and South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust will stage a series of co-ordinated events celebrating the visual and performing arts,  together with fund-raising events for the charity, and will involve both those who use their services as well as those who work in them

At this early stage you can help by:-

• Pledging your support for PARK ART
• Registering for participation  in sponsored laps at the event
• Declare your interest in purchasing an event T-shirt
• Tell us about your own ideas for fund-raising on behalf of Reflections Art in Health Charity.
• Volunteer to help with event co-ordination at your local Trust.
• Share your talents ! Art, Music, Poetry -  All Creativity in the Park  !  Volunteer performances, or bring along pieces of artwork for display
• Take  an interest in twitter  @reflections9  @tonyr2011 , please promote the events, our website, the cause, and What It’s All About !

We need your support to make this work - please help !!

Tony Russell